United States Hockey League (USHL)

USHL Fall Classic: Ben Kevan Starts Draft Season Right, Sioux City Perfect

USHL Fall Classic: Ben Kevan Starts Draft Season Right, Sioux City Perfect

FloHockey is on the scene at the 2024 USHL Fall Classic. Here's what Chris Peters observed from Day 2 of the action.

Sep 20, 2024 by Chris Peters
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CRANBERRY TWP., Pa.— The first full day of games at the DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic provided plenty of intrigue all the way until the end of a six-round shootout between the Dubuque Fighting Saints and Tri-City Storm in the final game.

With four games featuring eight different USHL squads, it was a good chance to see how everyone is shaping up across the league. Here’s a look at some of the key takeaways from Thursday’s action at the Fall Classic.

Ben Kevan Opens NHL Draft Season On High Note

The Des Moines Buccaneers are looking to make the playoffs this year and if they’re going to do it, Ben Kevan will likely be at the center of it. The California native and Arizona State commit certainly made his presence felt in the Bucs’ season opener. 

Kevan scored both of Des Moines’s goals in their 2-1 win over the Green Bay Gamblers in the season opener for both clubs. The first goal came off of a net-front deflection, while Kevan’s second goal was an absolute snipe on the rush following a perfect stretch pass from defenseman Owen Dyer. 

Kevan’s speed was notable as he was solid in transition. He also has good hands to make plays in tight spaces. As most players his age do, Kevan will need to build strength and become a bit tougher to play against in order to improve his pro prospects, but he showed some traits that will likely get him drafted in June.

Sioux City Finishes Classic Perfect

Behind the efforts of goaltender Samuel Urban who allowed just two goals over two games on 46 shots against, the Sioux City Musketeers started the season 2-0. The Muskies were able to get on the bus happy after a 2-1 win over the Youngstown Phantoms in the second day of action at the Fall Classic.

Tate Pritchard scored his second goal in as many days late in the second period to provide the insurance goal his team needed late in the second period. Amid a Youngstown comeback bid, Urban shut the door with 13 saves over the final two periods on 14 shots against. 

Though Urban got the win, Youngstown head coach Ryan Ward expressed how his team’s goaltending proved solid over their first two games. Owen Lepak stopped 18 of 20 shots in his USHL debut Thursday, while Czech import Jakub Hes scored his first USHL goal in the Youngstown loss.

Madison’s Powerful Power Play

Early on in their opening game of the season, the Madison Capitols looked like they might run away with it against the Omaha Lancers. They jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but quickly relinquished it in the last half of the second period.

The third period belonged to Madison, however. They scored a goal 34 seconds into the frame before taking advantage of a major penalty by Omaha’s Caden Lee. The Caps scored three times on the major power play. Despite giving up a shorthanded goal, Madison was well on their way. They added one more for good measure to earn an emphatic 7-3 win.

2025 NHL Draft-eligible player Ryker Lee had two goals and an assist in his season debut to pace the Capitols.

Dubuque Comes Up Big In Shootout

After falling behind 2-0 early in the second period against the Tri-City Storm, the Dubuque Fighting Saints had to dig deep to make sure they didn’t leave Pittsburgh empty handed.

Goals from Josh Niedermayer and Torkel Jennersjo in the middle frame did the trick. Meanwhile, goaltender Liam Beerman made a series of spectacular saves, especially in the third period, to keep the game level. Twelve of his 25 saves came in the third frame.

In the shootout, Vegas Golden Knights draft pick Lucas Van Vliet got the shootout started with a goal, but it was largely a goaltending display after that as shot after shot was turned aside. Tri-City finally got a dazzling goal from Cameron Briere in their last chance to extend the game. In extras, each goaltender traded saves before Jennersjo stepped up for Dubuque.

The Swedish import made his approach amid a smattering of boos from some of the Tri-City fans in attendance, but buried an emphatic shot and put his hand to his ear to the now quiet boo-birds.

Beerman made a final stop on Dylan Nolan to secure the extra point for Dubuque and send the Saints home happy.

USHL Fall Classic Day 3 Schedule

Friday, Sept. 20

Green Bay Gamblers vs. Fargo Force, 12:00 p.m.

Madison Capitols vs. Lincoln Stars, 2:00 p.m.

Chicago Steel vs. Des Moines Buccaneers, 3:00 p.m.

Cedar Rapids RoughRiders vs. Omaha Lancers, 5:00 p.m.

Note: Cedar Rapids vs. Omaha will be our free streaming game, available across FloHockey's social media. Details here.

What Is The USHL Fall Classic?

The DICK's Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic is the league's annual kickoff to the season, featuring all 16 teams playing two regular-season games under one roof. For the last several years, the event has been held at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Twp., Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh.

The event is attended by hundreds of scouts from the NHL, NCAA and other junior leagues. 

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